‘The Natural’ Reminds Us Losing Is A Disease

I’ve seen The Natural starring Robert Redford a handful of times. Each time I like the movie more than before. I’m not sure why, I just do.

I watched the flick again on television Monday night and a scene where the Knights’ team doctor tries using psychology to help break a long losing streak struck a chord with me.

Following each loss the doc addresses the Knights in the locker room with his dry, corny and repetitive message:

“The mind is a strange thing, men. We must begin by asking it…

What is losing?

Losing is a disease…as contagious as polio.

[Next scene] Losing is a disease…as contagious as syphilis.

[Next scene] Losing is a disease…as contagious as bubonic plague…attacking one… but infecting all. But curable.

Now, I want you to imagine…you are on a ship at sea……on a vast sea…gently rocking…gently rocking…gently rocking”

Hobbs of course walks out during the speech after hearing it a third time. It’s a humorous bit that doesn’t translate as well in a blog post, but if you’ve seen the movie you understand the context.

Anyway, I got a good laugh thinking how painstakingly awful it was watching the Cubs lose 101-games last season, and how losing over and over again does seemingly feel like a disease that twists our minds with frustration and anger.

If curing the Cubs’ ill-play was only as easy as finding a Wonder Boy…

Pick us out a winner, Theo.